“This is no longer Euphoria”: Season 3 Episode 2 sparks outrage over shocking and ‘disturbing’ scenes

The second episode of Season 3 of Euphoria — which is set to serve as the show’s final season following a four-year hiatus — has triggered a wave of backlash and heated online debate, according to reports from Forbes.

What once was criticised by viewers as “not feeling like Euphoria anymore” has now escalated, with many asking: “What is Sam Levinson even doing with this show?” — referring to the series creator, writer and director.

The controversy erupted after the latest episode aired with an explicit content warning, featuring multiple scenes that quickly went viral for their shock value.

Among the most controversial moments reported were:

— an explicit sex scene, compared by viewers to Levinson’s earlier project The Idol, featuring actress Chloe Cherry, who previously worked in the adult entertainment industry;
— a sexual scene staged in front of a Nazi flag;
— the use of a racial slur in dialogue between characters;
— a disturbing sequence involving a pig;
— nudity involving Sydney Sweeney, whose character Cassie’s storyline has been described by some critics as “humiliating,” sparking debate about her treatment in the series;
— a baby-themed photoshoot scene touching on controversial fetish-related imagery.

Critics note that Euphoria has always been known for its raw and explicit storytelling, but argue that the new season pushes boundaries further than ever before. Some have drawn comparisons to Levinson’s previous HBO project The Idol, which was heavily criticised by audiences and reviewers alike.

Ratings reflect the divide. Episode 2 currently holds around a 7.3 score — lower than most previous episodes, though still above the season premiere, which marked the lowest-rated episode in the show’s history.

Despite the backlash, audience interest remains strong. Viewership for Season 3 is reportedly up by around 44% compared to Season 2, with more than 8.5 million viewers in the US within the first three days.

As a result, the series continues to polarise audiences — facing intense criticism over its content while simultaneously generating significant attention and streaming growth.